Guys im writing this because Ive recently battled two back to back colds which have exashberated my anxiety/depression. I took a .25mg xanax but now it feels like it does nothing for me and my body is in a bit of a tingly shocky feeling the whole time. Im really worried that ive developed insomnia and that im totally screwed. Please someone shed some advice? im so worried...

The fact that you are worrying about insomnia says it all.....that in and of itself with cause it to happen. Everyone goes through spells of not sleeping......it's how handle that which makes the difference in making this episodic or chronic. I have gone through spells of this with health anxiety, and then it takes on a life if its own because you over think needing a good nights sleep. I am doing a method called sleep restriction therapy now which has helped me. Although I am suspecting that my zoloft may be contributing as well.

I think I'm confused a bit. So you're not sleeping which is causing the anxiety, which it totally can?

If that's the case you might want to look into insomnia and get some ideas of what to do.

You might try melatonin. You might do some stress relieving exercises in bed like relaxing every muscle. working hard to only thing about that. One of my faves that was told to me is to start at 100 (or more) and count backwards by 3's. It's harder than it sounds and takes a lot of determination. When your thoughts leave the numbers you have to go right back to them. You can also change it up as you memorize it.

The brain can only process one thought at a time although those thoughts might be short lived. But, you can't think about vacation and say a spread sheet all at the exact time. If all else fails you might talk to your Dr. about something to help. If I have to take a drug anyway and the side effects is sleep I take them at night.

From one sleep deprived person to another I wish you much luck.What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise.

Laura Short

"Blessings"

FM/CFS, BP, gastritis, diverticulitis, anxiety/PTSD, adult ADD, hypothyroid, brain lesions, sleep apnea that doesn't respond to a c-pap as far as sleepiness/fatigue goes, insomnia and only sleep in stages 1 and 2 and REM with a tiny bit in 3 and 4.